Q & A on Group Therapy
Are you thinking about joining group therapy, but are worried about what to expect? Here are some answers to common questions about what you can expect in a group.
Q: What will we talk about?
A: This depends on the kind of group you join. Groups at CAC, like our young-adults group is a process-oriented group; we will not be teaching you specific skills or providing you psychoeducation.Instead, our conversations emerge from what you are willing to share about yourself, your reactions to one another, and your reflections on how you perceive to be experienced within the group.The general topics for this 8-week course will focus on friendships, family, romantic relationships, job stress, and your identity development, all of these are areas which are particularly relevant for young adults
Q: How deep will we go?
A: Group connectedness depends on how willing you are and others are to share their experiences. Often, having a longer running group helps build more trust between members of the group to share more vulnerable experiences, but even shorter groups can lead to profound connections. The young-adults group is limited to 8-weeks, so we do not expect to flesh out and explore all that we wish to in-depth. However, this does not mean that our discussions will not be meaningful and impactful to yourself or others. Most of the early sessions we spend together will involve developing comfortability, safety, and rapport between members. What and how much you choose to bring and disclose is always up to you; at the same time, growth and fulfillment of your goals is limited when members remain guarded. Thoughtful participation tends to support both individual and group goals.
Q: What should I expect about this process?
A: In the beginning yourself and fellow group members will be getting to know each other and seek to understand what role everyone desires to hold in the group. Everyone will likely feel some sense of uncertainty and unease until we establish some safety and trust. Once this occurs, group members typically begin to become disagreeable or discontent with one another or with the group leaders. This is an expected development with the group, you should not be alarmed if this occurs, as this is a good sign that the group has enough safety to do this. Group leaders will help to facilitate resolution to this conflict, which will strengthen the bonds and collective identity of the group.
Q: What is the goal of the group?
A: While each member is encouraged to reflect on their own personal goals, the broader aim of group is to support greater self-understanding through shared experience and interpersonal feedback. Sharing openly about yourself and thoughtfully engaging with members facilitates this process.
Written by: Morgan Bensky
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